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Don't pack a lot, the first cruise I went on I packed waaay too much and cabins are pretty small. Also, shore excursions and alcohol can add up pretty quickly. I learned my lesson the hard way.
If you can avoid it, don't charge too much on your cruise card because your bill at the end of the week will be HUGEEEEEEEEEE. It's so easy to be like "yes, I'll take a margarita poolside and swipe my card and then pay it later" but it's not so easy when they all get added up and you get your bill the last day. Beware of anything alcoholic. It isn't free! Just use moderation because the drinks are overpriced.
Also, bring plenty of small bills because you need to tip plenty of people--like the ones who clean your cabin and anyone who carries your bags for you.
oh your gonna have so much fun!! where is it going? i have been on 3 cruises and im a big fan. if the ship is a big one (like royal carribean) you shouldn't even feel like your moving...but if its smaller or if you have rocky waters it can be pretty rocky!! i always take dramamine when i go, so if you get even the slightest motion sickness bring that with you! try lots of different foods...food is included so try new things, if u dont like it they will bring you something else!! bring sneakers in case you do any excursions that you might need it for...definitely keeo track of what you charge to your room card...it adds up fast...take advantage of afternoon drink specials at the pool...drinks can be expensive....dont make any calls from the ship, expensive!!! and just have a great time, im so jealous!!!!
Bring something for motion sickness, even if you think you'll be fine. Your doctor can prescribe you a patch to wear behind your ear. If you wait until you're seasick, there won't be any way to get the prescription! Also bring one fancy dress in case there is a captain's dinner.
I went on my first cruise this past summer and I have a few helpful hints for you:
1. bring an emty water bottle with you. I broght a nalgene with me and at bfast each day I would fill it with water to have so I wouldn't feel like I had to buy a soda/drink everytime I layed out. Helps so you don't spend a ton on drinks
2. pack sunblock but not the spray kind. Mine managed to empty all of the contents during the flight into my suitcase, luckily I have ziplocked it.
3. before leaving check under the bed, the closet, drawers etc. I forgot a pair of shoes and they never showed up on the ship's lost and found.
I was really worried, but it was SO much fun! Enjoy :)
Have lots of fun, do you already have your ship and itinerary? Please share!
I totally second the water bottle/nalgene bottle. Fruit Punch, Lemonade, and Water are all free, sometimes some fruit juice too so stock up while you can. Also, drink stations are not always nearby so having a bottle with you helps a lot.
Read the ships alcohol policy, sometimes they let you bring 1 bottle of wine per stateroom and you can drink it in your room or at dinner. Try to go to all of the dinners and try lots of different foods. Go ahead and order 2-3 dishes even if you just want to try 1 bite off of the plate. If you and your FI want a private table, when you board the ship try to get a hold of the matrede and ask if you guys can have a private 2 person table. Or if you like to socialize, ask to be at a big 8 person table. If you want, you can usually sneak a few bottles of other alcohol in your checked luggage.
Sunscreen is key.
Some ships now let you pay for your tips in advance. They usually spell it all out on their website. This helps so you don't have to carry cash at all during the cruise.
Revision, the only time you might need cash that isn't included in your automatic gratuities is if you order room service.
They typically have a pretty limited menu and don't really allow substitutions but its still fun and nice to do.
We usually order a round of ice water to drink when we are back in the room after the pool, while we are getting ready for dinner. They come in the nice glass dinner glasses, unlike the plastic cups they use poolside.
I will also add that one of the best things I did was get up around 6am and have breakfast by myself. I watched the sun rise over the open seas and it was absolutely beautiful. I got some great pictures and it was incredibly relaxing.
Oh I love cruises! Where are you going? Water bottle is a great idea for drinking all day...as far as sneaking alcohol onto the ship, if you try sneaking it in your luggage, be careful! I've heard of people putting it in a mouthwash bottle, but some cruise lines do x-ray the baggage and remove the alcohol. They tell you not to bring it on the ship and they aren't kidding!
Go to the chocolate buffet/midnight if they have one! All the cruises I've been on have made a point of making them SUPER elaborate and even if you're not that hungry, the ice sculptures and carved fruit are pretty cool!
Getting up before sunrise sounds like a pain on vacation, but trust me- it is SO beautiful! Even better if it's a day when you're at sea, you're surrounded by all this water with an amazing sunrise!
I didn't bring dramamine and I wish I had (they did have it in the little gift shop on the boat though). I've never been seasick in my life until my cruise. It sounds silly but I learned that if you're standing still, keep your hips loose so your bottom half moves with the ship and your top half stays still (kinda like a bird). Same goes for when you're sitting for a long time like at dinner, don't lean your back against the chair and your top half doesn't end up rocking with the boat as much.
Also, I don't know if it was just me, but it took me a while when I got home to stop feeling like I was moving. I'd be doing a client's hair and all of a sudden feel like the floor swayed a little! I'd be all "Whoa, what was that?" and people thought I was crazy. That lasted about a week.
Dramamine is a must. I rarely get motion sickness but being on a boat for an extended period of time is different. You'll also feel it after being on the boat & then walking on land again.
No matter how tired you are - get up EARLY and grab seats by the pool. There's never enough. You can keep sleeping on the deck. ;)
Most lines will let you create a ship card that works like a debit card - you give them $200, they put it on the card & you use that for drinks. It's easier to keep track of your spending & you won't get slammed at the end.
Excursions are always $$$ so choose carefully. Last time I was on a cruise we went to Grand Cayman - "swimming with the sting rays" was like $150. We paid $30 for a beach excursion & ended up seeing them & other cool stuff in the water anyway… for free.
Bring an ipod! There are few things on this planet more annoying than a cruise director coming over the loudspeaker every 10 minutes. LOL
I second spaniel on the dramamine and also something ginger related! Just incase you get the wooshies.
We went on our first cruise this past summer (Royal Caribbean). I get seasick very easily, but I didn't have any problems on the ship - I couldn't tell we were moving at all!
We kept alcohol to a minimum so that we wouldn't have huge bills at the end of the trip - lemonade and water during the day, and a nightcap in the evening, usually enjoyed by the piano bar. And for a lot of the events on board, they served free champagne (art auction, honeymooners get together, etc.), so we took advantage of those.
We brought water bottles with us and filled them up before leaving the ship in the ports so that we wouldn't have to buy expensive water on shore. And for some ports like Villefranche, which has easy public transporation within walking distance of the ship, we opted to explore ourselves rather than go on one of the ship's excursions. It just took a little research ahead of time and was well worth it. At one of our ports we ended up doing the same activities as passengers on a shore excursion, but paid only half the price they did!
LMAO @ fiftyfootbride "the wooshies"
But it's a good point. They have tylenol, tums, sunburn creams & "wooshie" meds (hee hee) on board but it's waaaaay more $$ in that shop than in your local CVS. Bring it with you.
I forgot to mention bubble wrap! When my FI and I went with his family this summer his sisters made sure to pack light with their checked bag and put in bubble wrap. They bought all sorts of different alcohols at various duty free ports and then carefully packed their suitcase with them wrapped in bubble wrap. I was very jealous
Whoa, tons of tips, thanks, bees! We are going to the Bahamas and Florida, during mid-December. I've "favorited" this thread and will have to re-check it when I'm packing!
We LOVE to cruise in our family...just got back from a week in the Caribbean (Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas - Bahamas, St. Thomas (if you go there, go to Magen's Bay), and St. Maarten (we like Bikini Beach - not a nude beach but just up from the nude Orient Beach).
Most ships will charge your "recommended" gratuities to your stateroom, so there's no need for cash, except for when you get to the islands. I recommend picking one shore excursion (they add up QUICKLY) and then vegging at the beach or doing something on your own the rest of the time.
Other tips:
Have a wonderful time!
Definitely pack dramamine. And totally check out the specialty restaurant if there is one on board. Yes, it is extra money but usually well worth it and it's fun to try something new instead of eating at the same place every night. Also, watch the alcohol, it does add up very very quickly and it is super expensive.
Great suggestions so far! One thing I would add-- if you're not huge into big, loud crowds, don't feel like the pool deck is the only place to relax in the sun, on the ship. Many ships also have lounge chairs on the side decks, which are a lot quieter, but still get a ton of sun.
Also, if your ship has balcony cabins available, check into getting one-- it's so nice to sit out early in the morning, or late at night, when you're at sea.
Another tip, pack a small purse/clutch so you can always carry your ship card with you.
The last night of the cruise you have to put your bags out in the hallway and they come around and collect them to go through customs - you will get the bag after you depart the ship the next morning.
Bring a small bag that you can put your clothes in for the next day and then your pajamas in from that night to carry them off the ship!
Also - if you drink soda you might want to consider purchasing a "soda card" - it is usually a little sticker they put on your ship card that you show them when you order one. It is about $20 for unlimited soda for the week rather then pay for each seperately!
Have a great time!
Wow this is super handy! Saving this for closer to the honeymoon!
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So the mans and I are going on a cruise next month for the first time - it was a perfect combination of convenience and...convenience. Haha. Any tips?